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UNDER THE SNOW 



Collection of Short Poems 



BY 



LOUISA E. LITZSINGER 



The Blind Poetess of St. Louis County, Missouri 



CLAYTON, MO. 

The People's Advocate Press 
1898 







Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/violetsundersnowOOIitz 




: : : UNDER THE SNOW 



A 



Collection of Short Poems 



BY 

LOUISA E. LITZSINGER 



The Blind Poetess of St. Louis County, Missouri 



CLAYTON, MO. 

The People's Advocate Press 

1898 












Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1898, by 

LOUISA E. LITZSINGER, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 






l A^\\"b \ CU^^V?^^ 



AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 
TO 

DR. S. POLLAK, 

One of the founders of the Missouri School for the Blind, and 

attending physician for more than thirty years. 

A snowy crown now wreaths his brow, 
And tells of life's good vict'ries won ; — 

He soon shall enter his reward, 
And hear the Master's sweet "Well done !" 



This booklet of sacred verse has been published by the author 
at the request of friends. A number of the little poems have 
been contributed, from time to time, to the St. Louis County 
papers, and through them have won for the author the title of 
"Blind Poetess of St. Louis Co." 






• ***' 




Yours truly, 

Louisa E. Litzsinger 



VIOLETS'.UNDER. 'THE*. SNOW 



Violets Under the Snow. 



OU have heard of the little violets 

That blossom under the snow; 
You have heard how they lift their sweet, blue heads, 

When the gentle breezes blow: 
When the bright, warm sun, with its friendly rays, 

Has removed the snow and ice — 
How they scent the air with their sweet perfume, 

Making Earth a paradise. 

But they wait for the sun to melt the snow 

With its warm and beaming rays; 
Until then, they will hide their little heads 

And their beauty from our gaze. 
And so, in the depth of the human heart, 

There are graces rare and sweet, 
Of a brighter hue and a sweeter scent 

Than the blossoms at our feet. 



But they sleep till the Sun of Righteousness 
Shall pierce to the depths within 

And remove the crust that enshrouds the heart 

In its unbelief and sin. vii 



8 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Yes, they lie, as dead, in their cold retreat, 
And their fragrance will be lost, 

Till the holy Sun, with its warmth and light, 
Shall remove the Tempter's frost. 

Let us hasten, then, with the Gospel Sun, 

To the regions dark and cold, 
That its warmth may remove its frost of death, 

And the seeds of Life unfold. 

Oh, that everyheart could but feel the warmth 

Of redeeming Love and Grace! 
How the golden fruits of a Saviour's love, 

Would the fruits of sin displace; 
How the Earth would teem with the violets sweet 

Of a holy faith and love — 
Like an Eden fair, as it was of old — 

Like the Paradise above. 



A Bow in Bereavement's Cloud, 



Art thou lonely, dear bereaved one, 

Does the world seem dark and drear? 
Is there naught that offers comfort, 

Naught that offers light and cheer? 
Doth it seem that all hath vanished — 

All thy treasure, all thy light, 
With the dear departed loved one — 

Draping all the world in night? 
Doth it seem that he hath taken 

With him to that world of bliss, 



A BOW IN BEREAVEMENT'S CLOUD, 

All the sunshine and the gladness, 

Leaving naught but gloom in this? 
Is thy noonday void of sunshine, 

Are the roses at thy feet 
Void of fragrance, once so cheery, 

Once so comforting and sweet? 
Is the rare, harmonious music, 

Naught but discord to thine ear — 
Void of all its soothing pow'rs, 

Once so full of hope and cheer? 
Are the words of human friendship 

Hollow, unavailing, vain — 
Loving sympathy but empty — 

All one dismal, mournful strain? 
Yes, ah, yes! for earthly splendors, 

Earthly treasures rich and rare, 
Bring no comfort, peace or balsam 

To the Soul in dark despair. 
E'en the source of human friendship — 

Human sympathy and love- 
Be it e'er so deep and tender, 

Adequate it cannot prove. 

But there is a source of comfort, 
Yea, the only Source, indeed, 

All-sufficient, all-sustaining, 
In our darkest hour of need. 

Lift thy tearful eyes to Heaven! 
See the bow of promise there: 
'Blest are they that mourn" ; ah, sad one, 
How it beams with radiance fair. 



10 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

"I'll not leave thee nor forsake thee; 

I am with thee, child, and lo! 
All Earth's waters of affliction, 

They shall not thine heart o'erflow." 
'Tis the darkness that surrounds thee, 

Stimulates thy grief and fears, 
Morning light will bring thee gladness, — 

Joys for sorrows, smiles for tears. 
When the darkness all has vanished, 
"When the mists have cleared away," 
When life's crosses thou beholdest 

In the light of perfect day, 
All thy griefs will shine as blessings, 

Thy bereavements all will prove 
Benedictions from the Father, 

Chast'ninss from the hand of Love. 



Solitude, 



They wonder why 1 stole away from out the noisy throng, 
Where merry voices ring aloud, in laughter jest and song, 
Where all are happy, bright and gay, without a single care; — 
They wonder why I would not stay to join their pleasures there. 
But sought a poor companion in that dry and tedious book, 
Or chose to sit and meditate in some dark, quiet nook: 
And so they come with tender words to call and pity me ; 
They think I'm sad and lonely here, but, ah! they cannot see 
How many cheering friends are nigh, though seemingly alone, 
Nor can they see the light which all around me here is thrown. 
Alone! ah, no, I'm not alone; here all is bright and fair; 
For hosts of white-winged Angels, seem to hover round my 

chair. 
Congenial friends, though far away, seem present with me here, 



RESIGNATION. 11 

Though absent in the body, still I feel their spirits near. 

They bless me with their kindly smiles and with their voices 

sweet, 
They sing to me in Heav'nly strains, to make my joy complete. 
'Tis here sweet memory proves my friend, and takes me back 

once more, 
Away from care, to live again in happy days of yore. 
And here the Angel of sweet hope, doth hover kindly near, 
Doth whisper tenderly that I have naught of ill to fear, — 
That He will still attend my steps where'er my path may lead, 
That He will ne'er forsake me, but will prove my friend indeed. 
He bears me on His airy wings to scenes of light and love — 
He gives a foretaste of the store of better things above. 

So here I taste my sweetest joys; here all my troubles cease, 
And here my Soul enjoys the calm of sweet and tranquil peace. 
But this they cannot understand who love the busy throng, 
Who love to join the revelry of boist'rous shout and song; 
But just within that noisy crowd, where solitude's unknown, 
'Tis there I'm lonely and distrest, 'tis there I'm quite alone. 



Resignation. 



When hard afflictions press me, and disappointments come, 
When shadows of bereavements have crossed my happy home, 
When sweetest joys I've cherished and dearest hopes depart, 
When brightest plans are thwarted which long have stirred my 

heart — 
Whate'er my heavy trials, my heart is not dismayed, 
Since I've a loving Father in whom my trust is stay'd : 
He knows my bitter anguish, He counts my falling tears, 
Knows all my pains and heart-aches, my griefs and direst fears; 
He knows my hopes and prospects, my wishes ev'ry one, 
And aught his love denies me, I know is kindly done; 
He cares for me and loves me, and were it best, 1 know 
He would deny me nothing — would lavishly bestow; 



12 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

And when he has deprived me of ought I'd fain possess, 

I know his love consid'reth my highest happiness. 

For would a loving Father, so gentle, good and mild, 

Have sent these hard afflictions on his beloved child, 

Were it not on a mission of tender love and care ? 

So, as 'tis hard to sing now, I'll seek relief in prayer. 

1 mourn my pride and weakness, lament my stubborn will, 

Whene'er my voice refuses to sing his praises still; 

1 know he is my Father, my best and truest Friend, 

He marks my whole life's journey, and paves it to the end; 

He loveth whom he scourgeth, and chast'neth every one 

Whom his great heart receiveth, and all is kindly done. 

Then why should : 1 not love Him, and trust my Father still — 

Strive both in bain and blessing to do his holy will ! 

Our griefs and disappointments of which our hearts lament, 

Are ministering Angels on kindly missions sent; 

And when their work's accomplished, our darkness turns to day; 

For lo! we're one step higher upon the Heav'nward way. 

When Earthly hopes deceive us, and Earthly joys are fled, 

We set our heart's affections on Heavenly things instead; 

Bereavement's tear must purge us and purify our love — 

Must strengthen ties of friendship, and selfish love remove. 

Affliction's fire is kindled forwond'rous good, we're told, 

It burns the dross within us and purifies the gold. 

Then on affliction's anvil my heart I'll place resigned, 

Before God's loving hammer whose strokes are just and kind; 

And when His blessed image is stamped upon my heart, 

His love has joys immortal, forever to impart. 

'Tis hard to conquer passions, to check the bitter sighs- 

So hard to gain the vict'ry when angry murmurs rise; 

But when, through grace, we're able to say: "Thy will be done," 

Entire acquiescence is Heaven here begun; 

And when, in Love's fair Eden, we've joined the ransomed 

throng, 
A retrospective vision shall wake the gladsome song; 
For we shall see Earth's trials as min'st'ring Angels stand, 
Who've served for our salvation with Wisdom hand in hand. 



TRUE FORTITUDE. 13 



True Fortitude. 



'Tis not the grand and lofty tree, 

That swings its head in air, 
That prides itself in branches green 

And blossoms rich and fair — 
That spreads itself in loudest boasts, 

With stern, relentless will, 
And scornes the fragrant shrubs and plants 

That grace the little rill; 
Though feeling most secure and safe 

From ev'ry thought of harm, 
'Tis not this giant best survives 

The fury of the storm. 
When tempests roar, and angry winds 

Are raging all around, 
Its stiff and stubborn head, soon crushed, 

Falls shattered to the ground. 
But see the little violet, 

That blossoms at its base: 
In modest, sweet humility, 

It turns its little face 
RighOo the Earth, and hides itself 

Until the storm is o'er; 
Then lifts aloft its sweet blue head, 

More lovely than before. 
O, Virtue, of all virtue's gems, 

Among the very best, 
Securing peace in ev'ry storm, 

In ev'ry conflict rest; 



14 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

True fortitude this gem displays, 

Submission is its name; 
It shines serene when skies are blue, — 

In conflicts just the same. 
Then learn a lesson of the grass: 

To bend when winds are high — 
To hide thyself on Jesus' breast 

When gathering storms are nigh; 
And when the heavy rain is spent, 

To look aloft once more, 
Refreshed and purified and blest, 

And stronger than before. 
Life's storms must break our stubborn wil 

Its tempests wild must roll, 
To conquer pride and selfishness 

That war against the Soul. 
The heavy rains our Father sends 

Are naught but showers of grace, 
To purge the Soul, and thus restore 

The image of his face. 



Our Guiding Star. 

This world were drear, yes, drear indeed, 

Without a guiding star; 
And who hath not some star of hope 

That sheds its beams afar, 
To guide his feet, to light his path, 

To cheer each gloomy day, 
To brighten ev'ry onward step 

Upon the toilsome way. 



OUR GUIDING STAR. 15 

For some, the sorrows of this world 

Have clouded life's bright day; 
The darkness is so dense, they scarce 

Discern one beaming ray. 
And yet they feel that there must be 

Some light that shines afar; 
So trusting on, they hope again 

To see their guiding star. 

For some, the star of earthly bliss 

Is beaming fair and bright; 
And steeped in luxury and ease, 

They bask within its light. 
But though its beams illuminate 

Their palace grand and fair, 
True happiness and purest joys 

Are seldom tasted there. 

Some see the star of fair renown ; 

And guided by its glow, 
They struggle on from morn till night 

To gain their prize; and !o! 
When they have reached the golden heights 

Of fair renown and fame, 
They find that happiness cannot 

Be purchased with a name. 

Some see the dazzle and the glow 

Of bright and shining gold; 
They think this glittering mass indeed 

Can happiness unfold : 



16 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

And to obtain their cherished store, 
Their lives, their all they bring; 

But lo? their idol is but gold — 
A cold and lifeless thing. 

Let others bask within the light 

Which seems most fair to them: 
Our guiding star, Oh, let It be 

The Star of Bethlehem. 
This Star, we know, will guide us safe 

To our eternal home, 
Where this same Star is all the light — 

Where darkness cannot come. 



True Beauty, 



'Beautiful hands are those that do 

Work that is earnest, brave and true.' 
Beautiful feet are those that tread 

Only the path where Jesus led; 
Beautiful fingers, weaving flow'rs 

To cheer the suff'rer's lonely hours; 
Beautiful voices, those that sing 

Praises to Christ, our Lord and King; 
Beautiful lips are those that move 

Only to speak a Saviour's love; 
Beautiful eyes that turn from Earth 

To seek the things of Heav'nly birth; 
Beautiful ears, that hearken well, 

To truths which Jesus came to tell; 



THE ROSES ARE HERE. 17 

Beautiful faces, those that shine 

With kindly smiles of love divine; 
Beautiful brows, that wear the crown 

Of innocence' unstained renown; 
Beautiful hearts, that choose for dress, 

Garments of purest holiness; 
Beautiful lives, devoted thus, 

Living for Him who died for us. 



The Roses are Here. 



Thrice welcome the roses, the feast of the roses, 

The queen of the seasons, the pride of the year! 
Come visit their bowers, and welcome the flowers 

That gladden the Earth with their beauty and cheer. 
Behold in the morning, their freshness adorning 

The Earth in their whiteness, their crimson and gold ; 
What innocent pleasure, what joy beyond measure, 

In watching their beautiful petals unfold. 

• 

Come feast on the roses, while nature discloses 

Her wealth of luxuriant floral display; 
Come taste of their sweetness, alas! in their fleetness, 

They brighten our pathway, then droop and decay. 
O beautiful season, pray tell us the reason, 

Thy days are so fleeting and brief is thy stay! 
Oh, why must they leave us — the roses — 'twill grieve 
us, 

Oh, why must their freshness and beauty decay. 



18 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Ah, yes! they must perish, the roses we cherish; 

..For they are but earthly; the scent they disclose 
Is but a faint token of fragrance unbroken, 

They serve but as simbols of Sharon's fair Rose. 
They teach in their duty and Heavenly beauty, 

Of Him Who's "The Life" and "The Truth" and 
"The Way"; • 
They point to the Bower made fair by that Flower — 
Immortal, unfading, exempt from decay. 

They tell in their fleetness and vanishing sweetness, 

How brief is the season of earthly delight; 
All temporal pleasures, all Earth's golden treasures — 

They come and are gone like a dream in the night. 
But, O, blest assurance! there's endless endurance 

In Sharon's fair Rose and His beauty divine; 
His fragrance attending, breathes Life never-ending: 

How sweet on this Rose-bed of Love to recline! 



Ora et Labora, 



We deem our efforts useless, 

Our toil is vain, we often say; 
We cannot see the merit 

In toiling on from day to day. 
We fail to note the power 

Of patient work and constant prayer; 
And so we often murmur 

And yield to doubtings and despair. 



ORA ET LABOR A. 19 

Still, "Let us not be weary 

In doing good", but let us try 
To fill each little moment 

As God appoints: and by-and-bye, 
All loving acts of kindness 

Shall in our crown of glory shine 
Like gems in Heavenly brightness — 

Like stars in radiance divine. 

"Your works shall be rewarded:" 

Your kindly words, your acts of love, 
Which you have long forgotten, 

Are written in God's book above. 
There they shall tell the story 

Of patient toil and earnest prayer; 
And what you've deemed but useless 

Shall shine in heavenly luster there. 

''Your work shall be rewarded:" 

Oh, can you not believe His word? 
Can you not trust his promise, 

And wait and labor for the Lord? 
No act of love is useless, 

No work of charity too small ; 
But many wait for great ones, 

And thus neglect to serve at all. 

We look beyond the duties 

Which lie within our path to-day; 

How oft we pass the roses 

Which bloom along our onward way! 



20 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

"Your work shall be rewarded:" 

Not only deeds of wondrous might, 
But little acts for Jesus, 

Are just as pleasing in his sight. 
He looks upon the spirit 

With which we serve from day to day; 
'Tis His to add the blessing, 

'Tis mine to labor and to pray. 



Edwina's First Birthday. 



'Tis the nineteenth day of the beautiful May, 

And the year it is eighty and nine; 
But was ever a day half so beauteous and gay? 

Did the sun e'er so brilliantly shine? 
E'en the clouds that arise now and then in the skies, 

And at times, breaking forth from above, 
Seem but shadows of joy in their happy employ, 

Keeping time with the beating of love. 

But you're longing to know why the world is aglow, 

What occasions such gladness, you say: 
Only listen, my dear, and the cause you shall hear: 

Isn't baby one year old to-day? 
To the mother's fond heart, could one blessing impart 

More of pleasure, of comfort and pride? 
Is there flower so rare, half so beauteous and fair 

As the rose-bud that plays at her side? 



EDWINA'S FIRST BIRTHDAY. 21 

Could one note in the song of the birds' merry throng, 

Half so thrilling and musical be — 
Half so charming and true as her baby's "Ah-goo", 

In her innocent prattle and glee? 
Yes, her heart feels the love that a mother can prove, 

But her joy it is mingled with pain; 
So her tears and her smile interchange all the while, 

Like the sunshine without and the rain. 

For the mem'ry of one so beloved, who is gone, 

Who would share in her pleasure to-day, 
Adds a low minor strain to the happy refrain 

Sadder made by the brightness of May. 
But in baby's sweet face not one shadow we trace — 

Life's horizon for her is but blue; 
All her pathway 'mid bow'rs of the fairest of tlow'rs, 

And her joys all unchanging and true. 

Yes, our wishes for thee, dear Ldwina, shall be 

Even such as thy year's happy dream; 
May the world truly prove such a garden of love, 

Ever-fair with affection's bright beam. 
May thy life daily grow in that fullness below, 

Which at last, all completed, shall shine 
In that Beautiful Land, at the Saviour's right hand, 

In the fullness of rapture divine. 



22 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 



Aspiration. 



Give me to seek my heart's delight 

In things that are above — 
To walk by faith, though not by sight, 

Confiding in His love. 

Thou Who dost hear the raven's cry, 
My feeble frame dost know; 

Thou canst my daily wants supply 
And needful grace bestow. 

Let me but strive arrayed to be 

In graces all divine; 
Robed in the Lily's purity, 

In holiness to shine. 

Give me a faith that knows no doubt, 

Wbate'er my lot may be — 
Sweet peace within, whate'er without— 

A child -like trust in Thee. 



Sabbath Rest. 



Sweet Sabbath day, O, day of rest, 

With Heaven's own benediction blessed, 

From earthly care and labor free, 

We would refresh ourselves in Thee. 



'TIS A PICTURE ON MEMORY'S WALL. 23 

Sweet Sabbath day, thy shade we seek, 

O fair oasis of the week; 
Thy cooling founts, how sweet the taste, 

To pilgrims in a desert waste. 

Sweet Sabbath day, of days the best, — 

In holy service truly blest — 
Oh, may no idle thought annoy 

Our holy duty, holy joy. 

Sweet Sabbath day, oh, may it be 

A day of pleasure, Lord, in Thee! 
A day of rest in works of love — 

A foretaste of the rest above. 



Tis a Picture on Memory's Wall. 

"If you could only see!" Brother tenderly said, 
As he witnessed my joy and delight; 

"Could you see it, ah, then you might truly enjoy 
And remember this beautiful sight!" 

Could the mind not conceive its ideal designs — 
Might it not on the beautiful feed — 

Then, alas! who could fathom our darkness and 
gloom ! 
Then 'twere sad to be sightless, indeed. 

To the physical eye — yes, it may be, perchance — 
It is fairer and lovelier still ; 



24 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

But the picture in mind of that floral repast 
Shall its place in my memory fill. 

There is many a portrait of friendship and love 
Glowing brightly on memory's wall; 

And to these there are added my garden delights, 
And the kindness they sweetly recall. 

Oh, the clusters of flowers they placed in my hands, 
And the branches so fragrant and sweet! 

How they made my return in the mild summer eve, 
With refreshment and gladness complete. 

Yes, that beautiful, massive and tasteful bouquet, 
Breathing fragrance and friendship sincere, 

Ever verdant and fresh in my mem'ry 'twill live 
With its perfume to gladden and cheer. 

All throughout those bright days while it scented 
my room, 

Prompting many a beauteous design, 
How it pointed my Soul to that Paradise fair 

With its roses and lilies divine. 

And when Earth's bitter trials would darken my 
way 

With temptations of sadness and gloom, 
1 shall visit in fancy this gaiden once more, 

And shall feast on its fragrance and bloom. 

'Twas a foretaste to me of that Garden above, 
Where life's pleasures unceasingly flow; 

Where the Soul shall repose on its rosebed of 
love, 
And life's flowers unfadingly grow. 



WHAT WE MOURN FOR, 25 



What We Mourn For. 



Why that bell so sadly tolling! 

Has some loved one passed away 
Into rest from Earthly labor, 

Promised joys and endless day? 
Why then toll those mournful dirges? 

Should we not rejoice to know 
That some faithful steward has finished 

His appointed work below? 

Not for those "Asleep in Jesus" 

Need our doleful knell be rung; 
Not for those who've wrought their mission, 

Need our mournful dirge be sung. 
Rather let us mourn and sorrow 

For the living all around 
Dead in trespasses, unmindful 

Of the Gospel's joyful sound. 

There is death where life seems brightest; 

Death of all that's pure and good — 
Of that higher life whose heart-throb 

Is true man- and woman -hood. 
Yes, there's death among the living — 

Death of all that maketh life 
Worthy of its stern endeavor, 

Of its toils, its cross and strife. 



26 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Worthy of its destination 

And its origin divine; — 
Death of all those holy graces 

Wherein every Soul should shine; — 
Death of all that's best and noblest — 

Of a self-denying love; 
Death of holy aspirations — 

Longings for the things above. 

Ah, 'tis meet to mourn and sorrow 

For the graves that round us rise — 
Graves of blighted loves and friendships, 

Shattered hopes and broken ties; 
Resolutions all forgotten. 

Promises but made in vain; 
Golden dreams that had aspired 

To the noblest to attain; 
Virtue's lessons all unheeded, 

Innocence and Mother's prayer, 
Childhood scenes — all desecrated, — 

All lie dead and buried there. 

Here is death in all its horror — 
Here is cause for grief sincere; 

Lo! the monster in his blackness, 
Void of comfort, void of cheer. 

Sound the resurrection trumpet 

Over him who fails to see 
Life in its exalted purpose, 

Loveliness and purity; — 



TRUE FRIENDSHIP. 27 

Over him who gropes in darkness 

'Mid the ills of mortal life, 
Heart-sick with its disappointments, 

Its vicissitudes and strife. 

Oh, that such might be awakened 

From the death of mortal gloom, 
To the Life of endless brightness, 

Teeming with immortal bloom. 



True Friendship. 



Hast thou tasted of its sweetness? 

Dost thou know its precious worth? 
Hast thou learned that of the flowers 

Blossoming upon the earth 
Friendship's roses are the fairest? — 

That their rare and sweet perfume 
Serves to brighten all life's pathway 

And to charm away its gloom ? 

Hast thou felt its magic power 

When the heart is sore oppressed?— 
When life's cares and stern endeavors 

Caused a longing in the breast 
For some hand to lift the burden — 

For a kind and loving voice 
To revive thy drooping spirits — 

Bid thy fainting heart rejoice? 



28 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Ah, in time of deepest trouble, 

In bereavement's tearful hour, 
Who can estimate its value? — 

Who can speak its healing pow'r? 
Yes, the gift of changeless friendship 

Is a rare and priceless gem ; 
Far more precious than the diamonds 

In a royal diadem. 

'Tis the golden chain that bindeth 

Heart to heart and Soul to Soul ; 
'Tis the chain that naught can sever 

While life's changeful seasons roll. 
Charms of youth and health and beauty- 

These may share misfortune's blight; 
But the golden links of friendship 

Gleam more radiant and bright. 

Fortune's splendor, fame and glory — 

What are these in time of grief? 
Can they soothe our throbbing temples ?- 

Can they bring the heart relief? 
Ah, no! 'Tis the touch of friendship 

That must charm away our pain; 
'Tis the voice of friend or loved one 

That must wake the soothing strain 

Which can hush the angry billows 
That are heaving in the breast; 

Nothing else can calm the tempest 
And restore the heart's true rest; 



THE ROSE. 29 

Friendship true, sincere and faithful, 

Knows no wavering, feels no ill; 
Though the stars should cease their shining, 

It is changeless friendship still. 

Storms of life may beat in fury, 

Troubles come, and fortunes fall; 
But the holy star of friendship 

Shines serenely through it all. 
Life's adversities may gather; 

Clouds may darken all the way, 
But the light of holy friendship 

Turns the darkness into day. 

But whence springs this holy friendship? 

Is it common to mankind? 
Is it freely spent, and always 

With a sacred trust enshrined? 
No! ah, no! 'Tis rarely tender'd, 

'Tis a gift that's from above; 
'Tis the love our Master taught us — 

Love divine, unchanging love. 



The Rose. 



Queen of beauty, royal mistress 

Of all Nature's gems; 
Fairer than the pearls adorning 

Kingly diadems! 



30 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

For it breathes the choicest fragrance 

From its Maker's hand, 
And it points us in its mission 

To the Better Land. 

In its innocence and beauty, 

With its sweet perfume, 
It delights and cheers the suff'rer 

In his lonely room. 
Though his eyes so dim and weary, 

Turn from things of Earth, 
They will recognize this flower 

Of celestial birth. 

On the lowly mound it blossoms, 

Where the Christian sleeps ; 
And reminds the sad bereaved one 

As he stands and weeps, 
That the Spirit of his loved one 

'Bides not in that tomb. 
But in living beauty riseth 

Like the sweet perfume. 

Do thou, like the rose, dear reader, 

Comfort, cheer and bless, 
And array thyself in beauty 

In the Saviour's dress. 
Breathe the fragrance of his presence 

Wheresoe'er thou art, 
Let the savor of His sweetness 

Flow from out thy heart.' 



WITHIN THE VALE. 31 

Make thy mission pure and holy, 

Like this lovely rose; 
It does naught but cheer and comfort 

Wheresoe'er it goes. 
It fulfills its holy calling, 

And its Maker's will ; 
Learn its mission dear beloved one, 

And thine own fulfill. 



Within the Vale. 



Art thou weary, dear reader, discouraged and sad, 

Doth it seem that thy life is but vain — 
Since thy lot hath so lowly and humbly been cast 

That thy light must unheeded remain ? 
Oh, remember He loves us and tenderly cares, 

Who assigneth thy mission and mine ; 
And no doubt 'tis just here, in the vale dark and lone, 

He most needeth our faith-gleams to shine. 

Not in beautiful gardens where roses abound, 

May the pansy best service impart ; 
But alone on the desert, surrounded by waste, 

How it cheers the faint traveler's heart ! 
And the dear little stars — how they vanish to naught 

In the glorious dazzle of day ! 
It is only the darkness can teach us the worth 

Of their tiny but exquisite rav. 

Doth it seem, too, dear friend, that no virtue can dwell 
In the midst of such guilt and such gloom ! — 

That no graces can thrive 'mid surroundings so drear, 
But must lose all their beautv and bloom ?■ - 



32 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Oh, then note what a lesson the Psalmist implies 

When alluding to records of old, 
Where we read of the beautiful, innocent doves 

Making oft their abode, we are told, 

In the nooks of the tiling, where people were wont 

All their refuse and litter to throw. 
Here they dwelt in the crevices, washed by the rains, 

In the midst of the rubbish ; and lo ! 
is their beauty and innocence marred by the dregs? 

Is their purity less than before? 
Are they doves any less, or their plumage less bright, 

As aloft through the sunlight they soar? 

Ah, no ! For their wings are as silvery gems, 

And their feathers as sprinkled with gold. 
Little question with them where the night hath been spent. 

When at morn their white wings they unfold. 
What a comforting lesson, reviving and sweet ! 

For whatever our station — 'tis He- 
Yea, the Lamb that was slain — shall our Souls ever cleanse, 

And their beauty and innocence be. 

Oh, 'tis blest to be guided and kept by His hand ; 

So whatever the world hath in store, 
'Neath His own mighty wings he will shelter our Souls 

Till the time of probation is o'er. 
Little matters it then what our Earthly abode, 

When the Soul shall have taken its flight, 
And in robes of His Righteousness, spotless and pure, 

Shall have entered the City of Light. 






-hr^fe 



TASTE AND BE SATISFIED. 33 



Taste and be Satisfied. 



Athirst and weary, long I strayed.. 
Where naught my burning thirst allayed 
Naught that my burning lips would try 
Could e'er the cooling drops supply. 
''Come where the Living Waters flow," 
! heard Him say in accents low ; 
And drawing close to Jesus' side, 
My thirsty Soul was satisfied. 

A hungry pilgrim faint and cold, 
1 wandered long without the fold; 
Far from the tender Shepherd's care, 
From shady rills and pastures fair. 
"1 am the Bread, the Living bread," 
A voice divine in mercy said: 
And pressing on to Jesus' side, 
The Manna sweet His grace supplied. 

With Soul benighted and dismay'd, 
Long in tire paths of sin 1 stray 'd: 
With ev'ry onward step, I knew, 
More dense and deep the darkness grew. 
"I am the Light," I heard Him say, 
''Return, O wanderer, from thy way!" 
And coming straight to Jesus' side, 
His tender Love the Light supplied. 



34 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 



The Giver of All Good Gifts, 



Every perfect gift decendeth 
From the Father of all Light, 

Whose eternal day of glory 
Knows no shadow of the night. 

Light and joy and peace and gladness- 
All are sent from God above, 

Streams of blessings ever flowing 
From the fountain of his love. 

His, the gift of golden sunshine, 

In its radiance warm and bright; 
His, the stars that shine so brightly, 

To illuminate our night. 
Ev'ry flower, ev'ry dewdrop — 

Sparkling in the morning sun, 
Timely rains and cooling showers — 

Are His free gifts, every one. 

Hast thou ought which was not freely 

Of the Father sent to thee? 
All thy comforts and thy blessings 

Are His gifts so full and free; 
His, thy riches and thy talents — 

All thy stores and all thy wealth; 
His, the gift of all thy treasures — 

His, the gift of life and health.. 



THE GIVER OF ALL GOOD GIFTS. 35 

Is thy glad heart full of sunshine? 

Then remember, 'tis from God; 
Scatter it along thy pathway, 

That thy light may shine abroad, 
To direct some weary wand'rer 

Back to Him, the source of light; 
Think how much of good may follow 

If thy path be always bright. 

''Let your light so shine" that others 

May be guided by its rays 
Into paths of truth and virtue — 

Into brighter, better ways; 
Let thy joy and gladness teach them 

That the Father of all light 
Makes the lives of those who love Him 

Always happy, always bright. 

Hast thou sorrow? then remember 

Naught of ill can come from Him; 
Bright and warm His love is burning, 

'Tho' thy lamp of joy burn dim. 
All that comes from Him is blessed, 

Be it joy, or be it pain ; 
Naught of ill can harm His children 

For His love and care remain. 

On the darkest cloud that gathers, 

If submissive to His will, 
We can see God's loving rainbow 

Shining forth His goodness still. 



36 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Murmurings must cease within us, 
And our grateful bosom swell 

With thanksgiving joys; for surely 
He doth order all things well. 



Art thou blessed with earthly treasures? 

Use them in the Master's name; 
Help to spread the glorious Gospel, 

And the Saviour's love proclaim. 
Use them to uplift the fallen — 

To supply the orphans' need; 
To remove the thorns of Satan, 

And to scatter Heavenly seed. 

Many precious Souls are dying, 

Calling for thy speedy aid; 
All around thee pant for comfort 

Hearts so weary and dismayed. 
Use the riches God has given 

To promote His blessed cause; 
Helping others, thou dost serve Him 

And obey His holy laws. 

Hast thou. talents? — then remember 

They are of thy Father's hand — 
Gifts entrusted to thy keeping, 

Which His justice shall demand 
With a rich and goodly increase; 

They are His — they are not thine — 
Thou shalt purchase with them jewels 

In the Saviour's crown to shine. 



THE GIVER OF ALL GOOD GIFTS. 37 

Give to others of the blessings 

Which He gave so full and free; — 
In proportion as thou givest 

Shall His blessing flow on thee. 
Talents shine with brighter luster 

In as much as they are used ; 
Every gift that God has given 

Should be cherished, not abused. 

Hast thou many friends and loved ones, 

Who have cheered and blessed thy days — 
Who have scattered friendship's roses 

All along thy varied ways? 
Then be grateful, but remember 

Jesus is thy truest friend — 
Sticking closer than a brother — 

Leading, loving to the end. 

Hast thou parents, brothers, sisters, 

And a bright and happy home? 
Then remember with compassion 
Sad ones who are left to roam. 

Do not close thy door upon them, 
Bless them in their hour of need ; 

By a word or act of kindness, 
Thou canst prove their friend indeed. 

Yes, thy gifts, they all are sent thee, 
From the Father, kind and true; 

E'en his well -beloved Jesus 
Was a gift He sent to you. 



38 



VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Should not such a gracious Father 

In his well-beloved Son, 
Freely give His children all things 

If they but his mercies own ? 

Who can measure, who can fathom 

Love so tender, so divine! 
Can I estimate the treasures 

Which in Jesus Christ are mine? 
No, ah! no; 1 can but love Him, 

Can but worship and adore ; 
Can but touch upon his goodness, 

Tho' 1 tell it o'er and o'er. 

How I long to sing His praises! — 

Long to sing his wondrous love. 
With the Seraphim and Angels 

And t>he Cherubim above ! 
Who in strains of sweetest music, 

All His gifts and works adore, 
Singing "Holy!"' "Holy!" "Holy/ 

Blessed Lord for evermore. 



^>X>^ 



A GOLDEN WEDDING, 39 



A Golden Wedding. 



Hark, their sweet melodious ringing, 

Golden Wedding Bells! 
And with fancy backward drifting, 

How their music tells 
Of a glad December morning, 
When the rosy dawn gave warning 
That before another sun 
Two glad hearts should be as one. 

See the happy youth and maiden — 

Thrilling hearts aglow ; 
All the fair and sunny Southland 

Seems one heaven below; 
Faithful hearts in love united, 
Marriage vows sincerely plighted — 
Hand in hand, and side by side, 
Stately youth and blushing bride. 

Half a century has vanished 

Golden Wedding Bells; 
And how wonderful the story 

Which their music tells! 
How it tell of joys and sorrows! 
Sad to-days and glad to-morrows! 
How it tells of hopes and fears, 
Toils and struggles, smiles and tears 



40 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Fifty years of union service — 

What a record fair; 
How it weaves its beauteous chaplet 

Wreathing silver hair! 
And on heads now bowed and hoary, 
Fairer far that wreath of glory, 
Than the Orange Blooms of snow, 
On that day of long ago. 

Looking back upon the pathway 

Of so many years, 
How the scene, oft strangely varied, 

Wakes both smiles and tears! 
There beside the cypress drooping, 
Pleasures' roses, too, are grouping: — 
Now the valley dark with gloom, 
Now the mount of light and bloom. 

Still two hearts in loving union, 

Shared their joys and griefs; 

And to every care that burden 'd 

Love brought sweet relief. 
Year by year has swiftly glided, 
Joys more sweet because divided; 
And with willing hearts to share, 
Toils and cares more light to bear. 

Six glad mornings brought their tidings 
From the natal room; 

Making sunshine in the homestead- 
Banishing all gloom. 



A GOLDEN WEDDING. 41 

Parent hearts in fond emotion, 
Bubbling o'er with pure devotion; 
Planning pleasures, tracing ways, 
For their darlings' future days. 

But, alas! three sad occasions 

Draped the home in gloom ; 
When the precious forms of loved ones 

Sank within the tomb. 
But the same Lord who had given, 
Called His own again to Heaven ; 
And, in life and death the same, 
'Blessed be His holy name." 

Parents dear, beloved and honored, 

We whom God hath spared, 
We who long your tender kindness, 

Long your love have shared, 
Fain to-day our dues would offer — 
Fain some worthy tribute proffer; 
But we've naught our thanks to prove — 
Naught but gratitude and love. 

Still we pray that Heaven's blessings 

May your path attend, 
And each coming day grow brighter 

To the journey's end. 
Truly all your kindness tendered — 
Ev'ry noble action rendered, 
Yea, each word and deed of love 
Bears its record Home above. 



42 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

There a rich reward shall meet you, 

When your race is run; 
There our blessed Lord shall greet you, 

With His sweet "Well done." 
To that throne of snowy whiteness 
May your outlook grow in brightness, 
And each Earthly joy more sweet, 
Till it ends in joys complete. 

May your good life's sun shine brightest 

Sinking in the West, 
And its evening shades while blending, 

Bring eternal rest. 
Happy then with Christ your meeting, 
When your Soul shall catch the greeting, 
"Come and lay your trophies down, 
And receive your starry crown." 



Evening Tribute 



'A day's march nearer Home," 
"O, sweetly solemn thought!" 
And yet I mourn that I this day 

So little good have wrought. 
I would do more for Thee, 

My Father and my God ; 
Thy goodness 1 would fain proclaim 

Through all the world abroad. 



EVENING TRIBUTE. 43 

For Thou hast safely led 

Me on from childhood's hour; 
Through all my life Thy love hast shown, 

And Thy protecting pow'r; 
My pathway Thou hast strewn 

With roses of success, 
And many friends Thou givest me, 

My life to cheer and bless. 

For all these mercies, Lord, 

Which hourly 1 meet, 
My grateful heart would something bring 

To lay down at Thy feet; 
Some tribute, dearest Lord, 

1 fain would bring to Thee; 
Some word of praise, some act of love, 

For all Thy love to me. 

But ah, too well 1 know 

That 1 have nothing meet 
To bring before a sovereign God 

Who is in all complete: 
But here's my grateful heart; 

Take it and make it Thine; 
Andgrant that through my future life 

A brighter light may shine, — 

That those around may see 

How good and kind thou art — 
The light and joy Thou givest me 

1 would to them impart; 



44 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Help me to use the gifts 

And talents i possess, 
To glorify Thy holy name 

And other lives to bless; — 
Some Soul to win for Thee, 

Some lonely heart to cheer, 
Some sob to still, some smile renew, 

Or stay the gath'ring tear; 
That when my Soul is called 

From Earth to Heav'n above, 
I may not come with empty hands, 

But bring some fruit of love. 



Recompense. 



And is it worth the living, 

This life so full of cares, 
So full of sore temptations, 

So full of tempters' snares, 
So full of disappointments, 

Of shatter'd hopes and ties, 
So full of toils and struggles, 

Of bitter sobs and sighs, 
So full of sad bereavements, 

Of heart -aches and of pain- 
Where ev'ry Christmas carol 

Must have its sad refrain? — 



RECOMPENSE. 45 

Ah, yes! 'tis worth the living, 

This precious life of ours; 
Among its thorns and thistles 

There bloom the sweetest flowers. 
For ev'ry sore temptation 

There is sufficient grace, 
From ev'ry foe and tempter 

There is a hiding place. 
For ev'ry wound of sorrow 

There is a healing, balm ; 
And with each storm of trouble 

There comes a peaceful calm. 
From ev'ry care that burdens, 

From ev'ry bitter grief, 
Love's peaceful benediction 

Brings sure and sweet relief. 
For ev'ry loved one taken 

To dwell with Him above, 
Another tie is added — 

Another cord of love, 
To draw us to the region 

Where all is peace and joy, 
Where sorrows never enter, 

And cares no more annoy. 
And for the cross that grieves us — 
- Its hard and earnest strife — 
A starry crown is offer 'd 

Of "Everlasting Life". 
The obstacles and trials 

Which ev'ry where we meet, 
Are stepping-stones to Heaven, 

To guide our wand'rins; feet. 



46 



VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 



The sigh must wake the longing 

For better things above, 
Afflictions and bereavements 

Must purify our love ; 
Life's bitter disappointments 

Must wake that thirst within, 
Which seeks the "Living Water" 

To qUench the fire of sin; 
The Soul's dissatisfaction, 

its never-ending strife, 
Its hungerings and cravings 

Must seek the "Bread of Life"; 
The longings and the strivings 

Which stir within the breast. 
Must grasp the invitation, 
"Come, I will give you rest." 
This world cannot afford us 

The things for which we sigh, 
So we must look above it 

And draw them from on high. 
Then blest be all life's trials 

Which bring us to our Lord, 
Since He has kindly promised 

For all a sweet reward. 



LOVE'S TRIBUTE. 47 



Love's Tribute. 



'Tis the fragrant month of roses, 

Fairest season of the year; 
'Tis the fifth of June, and listen! 

Bells are ringing sweet and clear, 
Calling men to Sabbatli worship — 

But has not their silvery chime 
Something more than usual sweetness? 

Does it not recall the time 
Of a happy, blest occasion, 

Five -and -twenty years ago, 
When the world was all an Eden 

For two happy hearts aglow? 
Sweeter roses, fairer lilies 

Never kissed a brighter sun; 
For the Orange Blooms had told them 

Of two loving hearts made one: 
Fannie Bell with Ernest Marshall, 

Hand in hand and side by side — 
Handsome youth and blooming maiden- 
Stately groom and lovely bride. 
Fortune's smile has hovered o'er them: 

Ev'ry morn sent blessings new; 
Friends and kindred — none but cherish 

Hearts so noble kind and true. 
Of the fair quartette of children, 

One was early called above, 



48 VIOLETS UNDER THE 'SNOW. 

Where her voice is sweetly blending 

in the chords of endless love: 
Far too gentle, too angelic 

To resist Earth's storms and strife — 
Tender blossom, fitted only 

For the bloom of Heav'nly life. 
And the trio that remainetri — " 

May their lives a blessing prove! 
May their concord be unbroken 

Till they, too, are called above"! 
Over him in far Alaska, 

We beseech God's mighty" pow'r 
To protect and safe return him,- 

In His own appointed hour. 
Five -and -twenty years have glided' 
"Gently down the stream of time," 
And to-day, while bells are ringing 

Forth the Silver Wedding chime, 
From the far-extended circle 

Of, devoted friends, there come 
Words of fond congratulation 

To the happy MarshaH'home. 
Rock Hill ChurclTbequeaths it's blessing, 

Rock Hill School its grateful love; 
The, community of Windom— 

Friends and neighbors — all would prove 
Their devotion to the family 

That has ever firmly stood, 
Noble-minded, kindly-hearted, 

And dispensing naught but good. 
Friends beloved, esteemed and cherished, 

May your future life,' we pray~ 



..EVENING MEDITATION. 49 

Heaven's choicest benedictions 

Realize from day to day. 
Tq this Silver anniversary 

May the Golden add its seal! — 
Yea, the Diamond — if it please Him 

Who dispenseth life and weal. 
And when clouds your sky'o'ershadow 

And 'woulif hide its sunlight fair, 
May, you ''see their "Silver Lining',' . 

Arid Go'd's "Bow. of Promise", there. 
'Tis the wish of true, affection, 

'Tis our heartfelt tribute given; 
We but tender our devotions, 

Leaving all the rest to 'Heaven, 



Evening Meditation. 



The birds have sung His praises; 

Have spent the 'day in worshipping; 
Haye cheered the world about them, 

And made the woods' with, music ring. 
They've brought their grateful tribute 

To their Creator's holy name — 
In merry tuneful warbles 

They've sung His love and told His fame. 

The roses and the lilies 

Have taught His purity and grace; 
Reflecting in their beauty 

Bright visions from their Maker's face. 



50 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

They've honored Him and served Him; 

Have freely spent their sweet perfume 
To cheer the lonely suff'rer 

And charm away his pain and gloom. 

The merry, playful sunbeams 

Have deemed it but a sweet delight, 
O'er ev'ry stream and meadow 

To pour their bright and sparkling light. 
All Nature has been faithful 

In its appointed sphere to shine; 
The smallest plants and blossoms 

Have taught some attribute divine. 

But what hast thou been doing, 

O, Soul of mine? Hast thou been true 
To thine appointed mission? 

Hast thou been eager to pursue 
The path of holy duty, 

Of purity and righteousness? 
Hast thou advanced in virtue, 

In Godly life and growth of grace? 

Hast thou employed thy talents 

Thine own good mission to fulfill — 
To honor thy Creator, 

And do thy Father's holy will? 
To use each golden moment 

For its appointed act of love, 
Whose merit has ascended 

For Angels to record above? 



EVENING MEDITATION. 51 

Hast thou with Nature blended 

In one harmonious chord of praise ■ 
To Him whose love and mercy 

Have showered blessings on thy ways? 
Or hast thou been neglectful 

Of thine appointed work of God- — 
Forgetful of thy mission 

To spread His love and fame abroad? 
Hast thou but used thy talents 

Some cherished idol to attain, 
And spent thy " Pound" intrusted 

For selfish pleasures, worldly gain? 
Ah, yes, dear Lord, I'm mindful 

That I have naught to bring to Thee, 
But sad neglect and failure 

In works and gifts intrusted me, 
O, blessed consolation! 

Thy love is ev'ry morning new, 
Thy mercy is unbounded; 

Thy Father heart unchanging, true. 
A book of snowy whiteness 

Is spread before my wbnd'ring gaze, 
In which to try new records, 

Forgetful of departed days. 
Then up, my Soul! Take courage! 

Press forward with an earnest will, 
Strive with a brighter record, 

The pages of that book to fill. 
Let ev'ry glowing sunset, 

While lighting up the Western sky, 
Record .some' worthy action 

Accomplish'd in the day gone by; 



52 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

And thus each rosy sunrise 

Will spread before thy wand'ring view, 
New fields of precious labor, 

Still nobler work for thee to do. 



Birthday Greeting. 

Should the day prove dark and dreary, 
Clouded o'er with shades of night, 

Void of ev'ry Earthly pleasure — 
Void of sunbeams fair and bright — 

Let thine heart no trouble borrow! 

There is One who knows thy sorrow, 

And Who sweetly speaks to thee, 
'As thy day thy strength shall be." 

Should the day bring grief and trouble, 

More, 'twould seem, than thou canst bear 
More than Earthly friends or kindred — 

More than human love can share- 
Still divinest Light is streaming 
And a "Bow of Promise" gleaming, 
In His precious words to thee: 
'As thy day thy strength shall be." 

Should the day be full of sunshine, 
Bringing joy and pleasures gay, 

Shedding light upon thy pathway, 
Strewing flow'rs along thy way, 



THE CORONET OF YEARS. 53 

Oh, then, drink thy cup of gladness, 
Banishing all thoughts of sadness, 
In that all-sufficient plea: 
"As thy day thy strength shall be." 

Not to me, dear friend, 'tis given 
Light or shade to wish for thee ; 
For the Father only knoweth 

Which of these the best may be; 
But 1 pray His love to guide thee, 
And from storms of ill to hide thee; 
That in all He sendeth thee 
''As thy day thy strength shall be." 



The Coronet of Years. 

Shall it shine in Heav'nly beauty 

In the silver'd hair, 
When thy head is bowed and hoary, 

Shall it glisten there? 

Free from stain and free from blemish, 

Like a radiant star, 
Sending down the track of ages 

Rays to shine afar? 

Pointing out the path of duty 

To another's feet — 
Pointing out the way to honor 

And to joys complete? 



54 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Oh! then, use each golden moment! 

Let each day be set 
Like a fair and priceless jewel. 

In this Coronet. 

Ev'ry day of loving service 

Adds a precious gem 
That shall glitter in the splendor 

Of this diadem. 

But each idle, ill -spent moment 

Mars its beauty rare; 
Yea, each moment of ill-doing 

Leaves its guilt stain there. 

And thy loving guardian angels 

Shed their silent tears, 
As they strive to hide each blemish 

In the crown of vears. 



The Beautiful 



The Universe bespeaks it 

In countless forms and matchless hues- 
Creation's map reveals it 

In symmetry of shapes and views. 
The azure dome above us, 

Bespangled with the stars at night, 
The sunset in its glory, 

Serene and beautiful and bright — 



OUR HERO BAND. 55 

The rosy light of morning 

That sparkles in the pearly dew, 
The breaking cloud when painted ' 

In all the rainbow's richest hue — 
The flowers fresh and fragrant 

In varied tints and scent and form, 
The verdant fields and meadows, 

The cheery sunbeams bright and warm, 
The myriad forms of beauty 

That in Creation's atlas shine — 
All, all reflect the glory 

And attributes of Love divine. 
'Tis Love that paints the lily 

And gives the rose its odor rare — 
That prompts the lark to warble, 

The bob-o'-link to soar in air — 
That paints the shining plumage 

Of ev'ry bird in ev'ry clime — 
That beautifies Creation 

With loveliness and grace sublime. 
Yet Love's unrivaled beauty 

Shines not in Nature's choicest dress, 
But in the Soul's perfection — 

In purity and righteousness. 



Our Hero Band, 



God bless the brave and noble band 
Who've left Columbia's peaceful strand- 
Have dared to face the stormy sea, 
For Cuba's weal and liberty — 



56 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Who've gone to succor and to bless 
Our neighbor in her sad distress; 
"For God and home and every land," 
Our motto for our hero band. 

Protect them, O, Almighty Hand, 
Who've breathed farewell to native land, 
To home and wife and prattling child, 
For cannon's roar and billows wild — 
Not for the love of wealth or fame, 
Of laurels fair, or hero's name — 
"For God and home and ev'ry land," 
The impulse of our hero band. 

All honor to the noble band, 
Who've taken their decided stand 
For justice, liberty and right; 
For freedom from oppression's might; 
And when o'er Cuba's peaceful isle 
Glad freedom's light shall sweetly smile- 
Safe to Columbia's happy land, 
May Heav'n restore our hero band. 

Be multiplied, O noble band, 
In ev'ry age and ev'ry land, 
Who battle manfully and strong 
'Gainst all oppression, vice and wrong; 
Who bear the tidings of "Good will" 
O'er ocean wide, o'er plain and hill, 
Till Freedom's banner wave unfurled 
In love and peace o'er all the world. 



THE LIGHT IS COME. 57 



The Light is Come. 



Behold the fair and rosy dawn ! 

Bright herald of the day, 
Dispelling all the clouds and mists 

On its advancing way. 
It tells of the retreating night, 
And heralds the approaching Light. 

Jesus "The Light," "The Life," "The Way 

That Light is dawning now; 
Behold, a Heav'nly halo beams 

Around His infant brow. 
A Light is risen on the Earth; — 
'Tis breaking with the Saviour's birth. 

It streams from out a manger low, 

Where on an humble bed 
Of hay and moss, the Saviour deigns 

To lay His kingly head. 
Oh, come and worship at the shrine 
From which there beams such love divine! 

It comes to guide us with its rays 

To endless bliss and joy; 
It comes all shades of sin and death — 

All darkness to destroy. 
It comes to banish all the gloom 
And make the desert places bloom. 



58 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

The Christ is born — our Christmas Joy- 
The King of kings is come; 

He brings salvation, life and peace 
Down from His Heav'nly home. 

The Christ is born: The Light divine 

Is come in ev'ry heart to shine. 

O, precious Light, we hail thy dawn, 
We need Thy Heav'nly pow'rs; 

We need the sunshine of Thy love 
In these poor hearts of ours. 

Without Thee, life indeed were sad, 

With Thee, the humblest may be glad. 

O, Gift of God, O, Saviour dear, 
To Thee our voice we raise 

In Christmas anthems full of joy, 
Of gratitude and praise; 

To Thee be endless glory given 

By all on Earth and all in Heaven. 



Christmas Sunshine. 



The Christmas bells are ringing; 

Let men take up the joyful strain- 
Devotion's tribute bringing, 

In Christmas carols' sweet refrain. 

Commemorate with gladness 
The dawning of an era bright 



CHRISTMAS SUNSHINE. 59 

Which burst the clouds of sadness 
And brought rejoicing Truth to light. 

Life sweet and never-ending, 

Truth, Love and Immortality, 
With purest joys attending, 

Are gifts it brought to you and me. 

Man in the Soul's perfection — 

How high exalted and how great! — 

His Maker's own reflection, 
And life and honor his estate. 

Sin, sickness, pain and sorrow, 

However real these may seem, 
Are but the ills we borrow — 

Are all but transient, all a dream. 

Then why not quickly banish 

The thoughts of evil, death and pain! 

Since these must duly vanish, 
And life and peace forever reign. 

A Universe of beauty, 

Which moves in harmony divine, 
Fulfilling holy duty, 

Is your abiding place and mine. 

Here no discordant error, 

But harmony and peace serene- 
One vast harmonious mirror 

Reflecting loveliness unseen. 



60 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW, 

Its teachings pure and holy, 

Bespeak the beautiful and good — 

Sublime instructions solely 

Prescribed for man- and woman-hood. 

Consider in its whiteness 

The little snowflake light in air; 

A hexigon of brightness, 

Divinely wrought, exquisite, fair, 

its symmetry and beauty, 

Its emblematic purity, 
Do these not speak of duty, 

In gentle terms to you and me? 

The summer sunbeams dancing, 

O'er wood and meadow, hill and dale; 

The moon and star- gems glancing, 
That decorate the night's dark veil; 

The lilies and the roses, 

The violet's sweet, exquisite grace — 
Such beauty but discloses 

The smile of our Creator's face; 

And we, His own reflection, 

Should we not His effulgence prove? — 
Not in the Soul's perfection 

Reveal His attributes of love? 

Ah, yes! We'll soar in Spirit, 
The mortal things of Earth above, 

And rightfully inherit 

Our legacy of Truth and Love. 



MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, 61 

And thus we'll join the chorus 

Of universal joy and praise? 
And with Love's banner o'er us, 

We'll chant throughout eternal days 

The gladsome natal story 

Of Him Who taught our Soul the way 
To shine in endless glory, 

In beauty's dress and Love's array. 



Merrv Christmas to All. 



Again they are ringing — so cheerily ringing — 

Sweet Christmas bells, chiming the story of old ; 
And sweeter and better grows Bethlehem's story, 

As over and over its tidings are told. 
Behold the great lightthato'erwhalrristhe meek shepherds 

While guarding their flocks on that joy-bringing night! 
To whom and for whom is the glad revelation, 

And whence are the beams of its radiance bright? 

The sweet, blending chords from multitude voices, 
Their choice benediction, their message of love 

To whom and ot whom is the theme of their rapture. 

And whence the sweet music poured out from above? 
'On Earth" be the "peace" — canst thou hear, weary pilgrim ? 

"On Earth," not in Heaven — "On Earth" be the "peace." 

For Earth will be Heaven when "peace" shall pervade it, 
When discord and turmoil forever shall cease. 

'Toward men" the "good will". Canst thou hear, weary 
pilgrim ? 
Oh, turn but thine ear to that song from above ! 



62 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

The note ringing sweetest throughout the grand chorus, 

That note is the note of immutable love, 
'Tis thine, the great legacy! thine all the blessing ! 
'Tis thine, weary pilgrim, oh, list to the song ! 
"Toward men" the "good will". Then rejoice in thy fortune, 
Chime in with the angels in notes full and strong ! 

That Star in the East over Bethlehem's manger ! 

Behold how it smiles on thy pathway and mine ! 
Its beams ever tender, its light ever real, 

Undimmed by the ages its lustre divine. 
O, love unalloyed ! Perfect love, never ending — 

Immortal, unchangeable, matchless and sweet ! 
"To God in the Highest" - Ah, this is the keynote 

That preludes the song with such gladness complete. 

"To God" be the "glory," to Him the great Giver, 
The Fount»of all good and the source of our joy, 
The Gift of His Love, be the theme of our anthem, 

Let angels and men all their praises employ ; 
For sweet and consoling is Gabriel's story, 
"Fear not", but rejoice in the tidings I bring : 
"To you there is born, in the City of David, . 
A Saviour", a Shepherd, Redeemer and King. 

Like wise men of old let us open our treasure, 
Our hearts and our lives be the gifts we unfold, 

Our thoughts and our deeds, yea, the pulse of our being, 
Be these our frankincense, our myrrh and our gold. 



EASTER LILIES. 63 



Easter Lilies. 



Easter lilies — how they glisten 

In their robes of spotless white; 
All arrayed in snowy whiteness, 
How they sparkle in the brightness 
Of the Easter morning light. 

How they lift their graceful petals, 

And in gladness seem to say: 
We have burst the clods that bound us, 
And delight in shedding round us 
Fragrance on this Easter day. 

We've aspired to the sunshine 

That dispels the winter's gloom ; 
We have left our earth -walled prison — 
Burst our shackles, and have risen 
Into beauty, light and bloom. 

Wouldst thou join the happy chorus 

Of the Easter lilies' song? 
Wouldst thou know the theme and glory 
Of the resurrection story, 

And thine Easter joys prolong? 

Then arise in joy, dear reader, 

Banish ev'ry thought of gloom! 
Truth has triumphed over error, 
Perfect love o'er slavish terror, 
Life immortal o'er the tomb. 



64 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Life is real, Truth is power, 

Love divine is al! in all; 
Mortal life is but a seeming — 
A delusion and a dreaming — 

Hearken to the Spirit's call! 

Rouse thee from the sleep of Adam, 

Which would all thy pow'rs enslave, 
Which would helplessfy confine thee, 
And the spell which would resign thee 
To the darkness of the grave. 

Rouse thee to the truth of being! 

Let thy Easter anthem be: 
Resurrection — out of sadness 
Into beauty, life and gladness — 

Into love's own liberty. 

Don the snowy robes of spirit, 

Pure and beautiful and bright! 
Truth and love in Christ confessing, 
Claim the resurrection blessing 

Through His merit brought to light. 

Break the spell of mortal seeming! 

And thy song of life shall be: 
"Risen from the tomb of error, 
Death where is thy sting of terror? 

Grave where is thy victory! " 



OUR RESURRECTION CHORUS. 65 



Our Resurrection Chorus. 



Triumphant, victorious o'er death and the tomb ! 
Light, light after darkness, and joy after gloom ! 
The bursting of shackles ! the captives go free ! 
"Unfettered" ! the motto henceforward shall be. 

All nature rejoiceth in Easter delight: 

While doffing her garments of wintery night, 

She dons her habiliment verdant and fair, 

Making beauteous the landscape and fragrant the air. 

The fresh budding flowers, the leaves of new birth, 
The warbling wing'd minstrels that gladden the earth 
The verdure beneath and the azure above, 
The scenes all about us of gladness and love — 

All, all are inviting the heart to rejoice. 

And join in the chorus with jubilant voice. 

Then who would be mournful, ah, who could be sad 

In the midst of surroundings so cheery and glad ? 

The Saviour is risen, and with Him we soar 
Into newness of life where we sorrow no more ; 
The life with its beautiful mission of love, 
The life that unceasingly draws from above 

Its strength, its supplies, and its sunshine of joy 
Which the world cannot give, nor can ever destroy ;— 
The life leading outward of selfish design, 
And into the secrets of wisdom divine,— 

That finds its delight in another's success, 
That seeks but to elevate, comfort and bless. 



66 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

Translating earth's discord, its turmoil and strife, 
Into harmony sweet, yea, the concord of lite ; 

That soars above common things, pelf and unrest, 
That aspires to the highest, the noblest and best. 
The life ever rising and reaching above, 
Till it loses itself in the ocean of love. 

The Saviour is risen, thus bringeth to light 
The life everlasting, immortal and bright. 
Yes, the Saviour is risen, and with Him we rise 
To the Eden of Love, the sweet home in the skies. 



Light and Shade, 



'The wall must wear the weather stain 

Before the ivy wreath." 
Such is the thought expressed in rhyme, 
Which bards and seers of every clime 

To rythmic lore bequeath. 

Yes, we may trace the weather stain 

Beneath the myrtle green ; 
And roses that bedeck the vine 
And gracefully our homes entwine, 

Are lined with thorns between. 

No crown inlaid with jewels fair 

Without the cross, they say ; 
No break of morn, no rosy light, 
But tells of the retreating night 
And darkness passed away. 



LIGHT AND SHADE, 67 

No royal road, no flowery path 

Prescribe the way of life ; 
No chaplet fair, no laurels won, 
No sweet reward for work well done, 

Without the toil and strife. 

Rest comes with glad attainment's hour: 

The struggle goes before ; 
Choice erudition's diadem, 
How dearly purchased, gem by gem, 

From Wisdom's precious store. 

Thus joy and sorrow, light and shade, 

Each other's steps pursue; 
To-day upon the shining height, 
To-morrow in the vale of night — 

An ever changing view. 

And yet is not life's checkered web 

The work of mortal mind? 
Man, tracing out his own dark fate — 
Outcome of his untutored state, 

Erroneous, faulty, blind? 

The Giver of all perfect good 

Can naught of ill bestow; 
From that benignant Fount above 
Naught but a stream of boundless love 

And perfect good can flow. 

The mind that's stayed on Love divine, 

Is kept in perfect peace; 
It soars above all things of time, 



68 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 

It lives in harmony sublime 
And joys that never cease. 

Life's panorama, dark or gay, 

Is by ourselves designed; 
Some see the light and some the shade— 
The varied aspects round us made 

Are pictures of the mind. 

Our low conception 'tis that frames 

The form of sombre hue; 
The shadow and the ills designed 
Are phantoms of the human mind — 

Deceptive, void, untrue. 

The soul in its effulgency 

Sees not the shades of gloom ; 
Encircled by eternal light, 
It sees the beautiful and bright, 
The flow'ring and the bloom; 

It sees the real and the good, 

The perfect and the true ; 
The beauteous forms of Love's design — 
Resplendent, changeless and divine — 

Love's own reflected hue. 

In ev'ry dewdrop it discerns 

The smile of endless joy; 
In ev'ry leaflet, every flower, 
It traces an unfading bower, 

And bliss without alloy. 



LIGHT AND SHADE. 69 

Love throws its halo on the forms 

And objects it designs; 
And thus transfigured into grace, 
Its ev'ry object, ev'ry place 

In Heavenly beauty shines. 

This mortal dream of light and shade 

Will vanish with the night; 
Life's wak'ning to reality 
In peace and immortality 

And never waning light. 

And sweet it is to rest assured 

That Truth shall victor be; 
The shades of error all will blend 
And haste their own destructive end, 

In dark mortality. 

Their midnight but foretells the dawn 

Of Truth's eternal sun; 
Their darkest hour will break the dream 
And herald the awak'ning beam 

Of real life begun; — 

The life with no vicissitudes, 

No alternating phase; 
But harmony and music sweet — 
Unfading light and joys complete — 

Unending love and praise. 



70 VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW. 



Heavenward. 



How shall we scatter and destroy the shades of earthly night? 
When shall we see Love's plan revealed in God's eternal light? 
When shall we hear the music roll unending, grand and sweet, 
With no discordant note to mar its harmony complete? 

Shall we, by drawing closer still the cerements of gloom, 
Be rescued from the ills which would consign us to the tomb ? 
Ah, no ! The pansy lifts its head to kiss the sunbeams bright. 
And ev'ry little blade of grass springs up to greet the light. 

As water doth its level seek, so must the Soul's desire, 
E'en to its origin divine, unceasingly aspire. 
"Let there be light!" and shades of ii! will quickly pass away 
Like dewdrops vanishing beneath the glorious orb of day. 

The darkness that enshrouds the earth and hides the good from 

sight 
Is but the shade of seeming ill — the absence of the light; 
And all the shadows will disperse when Good reclaims its place, 
We need but let the sunlight in and darkness flees apace. 

Not outward scenes but inward jovs make music in the Soul ; 
'Tis Heav'n brought nigh when Light and Love the heart and 

life control ; 
The state so beautiful and fair, of peace and light and love, 
Is not a tar-off, distant world, a fairy-land above ; — 

Not a locality remote— a place we know not where ; 
Love needs no such prescribed abode to make its Eden fair ; 
Love makes its Eden in the Sou! that turns from death to life — 
That into harmony translates Earth's discord and its strife. 

Love makes the desert places bloom with roses of delight ; 
It sheds its halo o'er the scene and banishes the night ; 



HEAVENWARD. 71 

It drowns all discord in the notes of harmony divine. 

And makes Earth's lowliest abode in Heav'nly beauty shine. 

Love makes fair Canaan's happy land, where milk and honey 

flow, 
The Paradise where Palms of Life and flowers unfading grow ; 
It spreads the hungry Soul's repast with manna day by day ; 
Through pastures green, by waters stii! it kindly leads the way. 

Love's mercies are not stored away in some far country blest, 
To which our journey we must take ere we may feed and rest; 
We need but hunger, thirst and crave, and Love is at the door 
Dispensing with its bounteous hand its all-sufficient store. 

A full supply is ever near to meet the Soul's demand; 

For ev'ry longing the response is waitinglv at hand ; 

To thirsty pilgrims faith reveals Love's Fountain brimming o'er 

With waters of Eternal Life, refreshing evermore. 

Beatitudes are not rewards attached to time or place, 

They are the ever-present Good, the crowning joys of Grace ; 

And on these blest Beatitudes the hungry Soul may feed 

In ev'ry state, in ev'ry place, in ev'ry hour of need. 

We need not pass through death's dark vale ere Heaven can be 

won — 
Its sweetness may be tested here, its pleasures now begun ; 
Hereby we know that we have passed from death e'en unto life, 
When Love hath changed Earth's gloom to light, to concord all 

its strife. 

"Let there light!" the echo comes reverberating still, 
Until the music of the spheres doth Wisdom's plan fulfill ; 
And progress in the life divine will make our Heav'nward way 
Grow brighter with each onward step unto "The Perfect Day." 

Finis. 



INDEX. 73 

CONTENTS. 



Violets Under the Snow 7 

A Bow in Bereavement's Cloud 8 

Solitude 10 

Resignation .-... 11 

True Fortitude 13 

Our Guiding Star 14 

True Beauty 16 

The Roses Are Here 17 

Ora et Labora 18 

Edwina's First Birthday 20 

Aspiration. 22 

Sabbath Rest 22 

'Tis a Picture on Memory's Wall 23 

What We Mourn For 25 

True Friendship 27 

The Rose 29 

Within the Vale : 31 

Taste and Be Satisfied 33 

The Giver of Ail Good Gifts 34 

Filial Affection 39 

Evening Tribute 42 

Recompense 44 

Love's Tribute 47 

Evening Meditation ■ 49 

Birthday Greeting 52 

The Coronet of Years 53 

The Beautiful 54 

Our Hero Band \. 55 

The Light is-Come 57 

Christmas Sunshine 58 

Merry Christmas to All 61 

Easter Lilies 63 

Our Resurrection Chorus 65 

Light and Shade 66 

Heavenward 7° 



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